The Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) came into force in December 1983. It constitutes a framework Convention supplemented by specific Protocols. The CCW and its Protocols apply to both international and internal armed conflicts. In order to become a party to the CCW, a State must declare its consent to be bound by at least two of its five Protocols.

As of 15 October 2003, 91 States have ratified the CCW and its various Protocols. Those include countries that use anti-personnel mines for defensive purposes.As an outcome of the deliberations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, there was consensus that Sri Lanka should accede to the CCW. With cabinet approval granted, Sri Lanka will accede to the CCW Convention while becoming a party to the amended Protocol.

Click here to read the Press Release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs